Get blasting with the ground game again.
And with Devon Dampier taking over at quarterback, the yards will pile up fast. Last year's team went 1-7 when it didn't get to 150 yards on the ground. To put this into perspective, the 2022 team only failed to run for 150 yards once, and over the last two seasons is 10-0 when it does.
Devon Dampier, QB Jr.
No pressure or anything, new guy, but the entire franchise is on you.
Isaac Wilson should be better if thrown into the mix again, but Dampier is the one with the upside to take Utah from solid to a team that could actually do some damage in the College Football Playoff.
The New Mexico transfer has to avoid the multiple interception games - he had five last year - but Utah fans are in for something special from the guy who ran for 628 yards and nine touchdowns over the final four games last season.
Top Transfer In: Wayshawn Parker, RB Soph.
Of course the top transfer is Dampier, but Utah needs a back to rumble behind another great offensive front. Parker is a slick back who had a few big moments as a freshman at Washington State, but he'll be leaned on a bit more in the Ute attack. As long as he's averaging over five yards per carry like he did last year, he'll be doing his job.
Top Transfer Out: Cameron Calhoun, CB Soph.
This is all on upside. Calhoun didn't do anything for Michigan in 2023, but he came up with 21 tackles and nine broken up passes last year for the Utes. He's got NFL talent and No. 1 corner ability, and now he'll be showing it off at Alabama.
Texas Tech, Sept. 20
The Big 12 season is loaded with landmines up and down, but the conference opener against Texas Tech will be a huge moment early on in the race.
The Red Raiders loaded up through the transfer portal and have a top 20-caliber team. With a trip to West Virginia up next, Arizona State to follow, and then a date at BYU, Utah has to come out hot.
The last time these two met was in 1973 - a 29-22 Texas Tech win.
- 2025 Utah Schedule Breakdown
1. Spencer Fano, OT Jr.
2. Devon Dampier, QB Jr.
3. Smith Snowden, S Jr.
4. Levani Damuni, LB Sr.
5. Caleb Lomu, OT Soph.
6. Tao Johnson, S Jr.
7. Logan Fanu, DE Jr.
8. Wayshawn Parker, RB Soph.
9. Tanoa Togiai, OG Sr.
10. Lander Barton, LB Sr.
- Total Yards: Opponents 2,403, Utah 2,393
- Utah 1st Quarter Scoring: 49, 2nd Quarter Scoring: 111
- Two Point Conversions: Utah 4-of-6, Opponents 2-of-5'
The Utes made the changes to the offense that should kick it back into gear. If this thing works like it's supposed to, they'll win the games they should've taken down last season in all of those close losses.
There's no one on the slate Utah can't and shouldn't beat. There's no Ohio State, or Georgia, or any superpower to deal with. Arizona State is a home game, at UCLA is the toughest non-conference game, and while the Big 12 is good from top to bottom, it's not the SEC or the Big Ten.
There's still a question mark, though, about whether or not the offense will work and if Devon Dampier's talent and style will translate to playing the Power Five teams on a weekly basis. And as good as the D will be, there are holes to fill.
So be aware, this Utah win total is set conservatively low. Ten wins and a Big 12 title are attainable goals.
Set The Utah Utes Win Total At ... 8
Likely Wins: Cal Poly, Colorado, Cincinnati, at Wyoming
50/50 Games: Arizona State, at Baylor, at BYU, at Kansas, Kansas State, Texas Tech, at UCLA, at West Virginia
Likely Losses: No sure-thing projected losses
2025 Utah Utes Preview
Utah Offense Breakdown
Utah Defense Breakdown